The consortium worked to demonstrate the capability of the immunoassay to detect and quantify serum antibodies against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hemophilus, meningococcus mumps, poliomyelitis rotavirus, rubella, measles and yellow fever and its suitability in field settings. In order to move from proof of concept stage to the development of a functional assay the consortium activities were planned around the following objectives: i) assay design and specification; ii) assay protocol and format for the detection of antibodies to vaccine components; iii) analytical and clinical performance validation; iv) assessment of population immunity in the field and analysis of vaccinated versus infected individuals: v) develop an operational tool to be exploited by users of the vaccine surveillance community and finally; vi) capacity building and technology adoption.
Alongside research and development objectives the project promoted mutual transfer of knowledge between academia and industry by implementing a number of staff secondments. The consortium focused on the transfer of ideas, research results and skills between researchers involved in the secondment activities. Staff secondments had been planned around the project scientific activities, therefore learning by experience (working alongside the host institution staff) and participating to scientific meetings and seminars at the host institutions was considered the best practice of transfer of knowledge within the consortium. Seconded researchers also had the opportunity to visit associated laboratories and attend international conferences and training opportunities in the host institution country.
Overall, the VaccineSurvey partnership faced a number of challenges during the 54-month long project activities that included changes and under-performance in the partnerships, experimental challenges, mobility issues, etc. The beneficiaries involved in the project have achieved most of the planned objectives with some delays and deviations that have been reported to the Commission and addressed with the best corrective measures possible within partners' reach.
